MLB Player News

Festa (2-3) took the loss against the Marlins on Thursday, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven across six innings.

Festa put the Twins behind early after yielding three runs in the first inning, highlighted by a two-run home run by Agustin Ramirez. Festa gave up another run in the third, but he settled in over his final three innings -- striking out six batters over that span -- yet didn't receive enough run support to fade the loss. He has a 7.28 ERA (in 29.2 innings) across six starts since being promoted from Triple-A St. Paul in early June, but that number is inflated by two outings in which he gave up eight runs apiece. Festa is slated to face the Cubs at home next week, which will likely be his last turn in the rotation before the All-Star break.

Ortiz is being investigated by Major League Baseball due to a possible gambling-related offense, Zack Meisel and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic report.

Ortiz was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave by MLB on Thursday, and he will remain on leave through the All-Star break as the league continues its probe. MLB has the ability to extend the leave beyond that, if necessary. Ortiz had been slated to start Thursday's game against the Cubs, but the Guardians will now hand the ball to Joey Cantillo instead.

Manaea (elbow/oblique) allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out three batters over three innings in his rehab start Wednesday with Double-A Binghamton.

Manaea made the fifth start of his rehab assignment Wednesday and his first since June 19, after he was shut down for a brief spell when he required a cortisone shot to address a loose body in his elbow. The veteran southpaw had gotten stretched out to 5.1 innings and 62 pitches in his prior appearance at Triple-A Syracuse, and while he was less efficient Wednesday, he essentially replicated that workload by throwing 60 pitches (39 strikes). The Mets haven't provided official word on Manaea's next steps, but manager Carlos Mendoza said earlier this week that the 33-year-old lefty will most likely make another start in the minors next Tuesday before he's considered for a return from the 60-day injured list, per Ezra Lombardi of SI.com. With that in mind, Manaea doesn't appear on track to slot into the New York rotation any earlier than July 13 in Kansas City, which is the team's final game before the All-Star break.

The Guardians announced Thursday that Ortiz has been placed on leave per an agreement with the Players Association due to an ongoing league investigation.

Major League Baseball hasn't released any specifics regarding the nature of the investigation, though Tim Stebbins of MLB.com relays that Ortiz will be on "non-disciplinary paid leave" through the All-Star break, according to a statement from the league. Ortiz had been scheduled to start Thursday's game against the Cubs, but left-hander Joey Cantillo will instead be called up from Triple-A Columbus to start the series finale in Chicago. After being acquired from the Pirates over the winter, Ortiz has been an adequate mid-rotation arm for Cleveland this season, posting a 4-9 record, 4.36 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 96:42 K:BB over 88.2 innings.

Perez (elbow) has progressed to throwing bullpen sessions, MLB.com reports.

Perez landed on the injured list after only four starts this season and has been engaged in a lengthy rehab process. He is hoping to begin a rehab assignment by early August, which could line him up to return for the final month of the campaign.

Woods Richardson (4-4) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over five innings in a 2-1 victory over the Marlins. He struck out three.

The right-hander got the hook after 75 pitches (50 strikes), and while he hasn't been providing the Twins with much length, Woods Richardson has at least been giving them stronger results of late. Over his last four trips to the mound, he's posted a 1.71 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB through 21 innings. With Bailey Ober (hip) joining Zebby Matthews (shoulder) and Pablo Lopez (shoulder) on the IL this week, Woods Richardson's spot in the rotation seems very secure regardless of his numbers. He'll look to extend his win streak to three in his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Cubs.

Sanchez (7-2) picked up the win in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Padres, allowing one run on five hits over seven innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.

The southpaw continued to dazzle, as he delivered his sixth straight quality start on 85 pitches (60 strikes). Sanchez has gotten sharper over the course of the streak, not allowing a walk or a homer in any of his last four outings, and since the beginning of May he's posted a 2.34 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 69:17 K:BB through 69.1 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week in San Francisco.

Bieber (elbow) threw a live batting practice session Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

This was Bieber's first live BP following a string of bullpen sessions last week. Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said Tuesday's session went "really well," but the pitcher's next step is to be determined. A best-case scenario for the right-hander's return is by the end of July.

Cease (3-8) took the loss in the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Phillies, giving up four runs on eight hits over six innings. He struck out four without walking a batter.

Homers by Max Kepler in the fourth inning and Brandon Marsh in the fifth accounted for most of the damage off Cease. It was the first time this season the right-hander didn't issue any free passes, but the third time he served up multiple long balls, including each of his last two starts. Cease will take a 4.62 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 121:36 K:BB through 97.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come early next week against the Diamondbacks.

Houck (elbow) is scheduled to make his next rehab start with Double-A Portland on Friday, MLB.com reports.

The right-hander labored through his first three rehab appearances at Triple-A Worcester, giving up a combined 12 hits (two home runs), four walks and nine earned runs over 6.1 innings. Houck will bump down a level for his fourth rehab outing, but as long as he's able to build on the 65 pitches and 3.2 innings he covered during his most recent start with Worcester, he could be cleared to rejoin the Red Sox rotation next week.